Love Does, subtitled “Discover A Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World,” is based on Bob Goff’s New York Times best-selling book, Love Does.

“Living a life fully engaged and full of whimsy and the kind of things that love does is something most people plan to do, but along the way they just kind of forget. Their dreams become one of those ‘we’ll go there next time’ … The sad thing is, for many there is no ‘next time’… love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.”

Last night I sat with a group of men, young and old; a forty-year spread among them. Teens, college students and, as I like to call them, “grownups” sat together.

I told them the story of “my crossroad.” I then asked them, “When was a time when things didn’t work out the way wanted them to?”

After a moment, one brave guy replied, “When I went to college. It was much different than high school. All my friends were gone.” Another guy listened, and added, “My first day as a teacher I almost threw up. Literally I almost threw up. I was so anxious.”

For as long as I can recall I have struggled with the fear of rejection and the fear of failure. Though I’ve made progress, the battle continues.

Maybe you struggle with those fears too.

There are many things I try to elevate up my sense of self worth including personal happiness, hearty laughter at home, healthy friendships and professional success, but nothing seems to have lasting impact.

I have loving family members, caring friends, wise mentors, learned teachers, honorable leaders, truth-telling pastors, life-coaches and counselors, and a pile of good books, but it’s still not enough.

After I wrote a mysilentscream post on not judging others I read Letting Go of Judging People By Leo Babauta. I liked it, and I thought that you would too.

Letting Go of Judging People 1

One of the best changes I’ve made to help me be happier is learning to see judging other people as a red flag.

Now, I’m not going to pretend I don’t ever judge other people — I think it’s either a built-in method all humans have, or something we develop because of built-in methods. We all judge people, and I’m not an exception.